Crate Training

[alycia.ammar]

Hello!

 

I had another question about crate training. Our rescue pup we got about a month ago was fine in the crate at the beginning - but now hates it at night. We have two dogs and he needs to be crated in the day as I’m not sure we can leave them alone together while we are away. I know you are supposed to create positive experiences in the crate and take time to gradually get them used to it - however I’m not sure how to do that since I need him to be in it every day!

 

He seems to be more ok with it during the day when I leave, but at night he barks non stop and scratches at the door. We also can’t keep blankets inside because he will just eat them!

 

Also, do you ever recommend leaving the dogs out together alone? Our first dog is fine to roam all day and it would be great if eventually they both could. They don’t get into fights - only once in a while if food drops on the floor accidentally.

 

Thanks in advance!

[JMFS]

I can put your mind at ease about not using blankets. Momo also destroyed blankets and eventually he was no longer given the option. He's no worse for the wear and to this day he often chills out in the crate, by choice, even though there's no blanket. He was crated the first 4 years of his life. I was in the same situation - couldn't leave him to roam about while I was at work. I made sure he had ample time to go potty before I left for the day and he never did have an accident. I also didn't put water in the crate (he just spilled it, never drank it) so that helped with potty issues. He was 4 months old when I started having to crate him.

 

Where does your other dog stay at night? Gertie and Abbi are in the bed with us, Momo has a bed on the floor. Before Gertie both older dogs stayed on the floor in their beds. She's something else, that Gertie. :D Anyway, we keep the door closed so they're confined to the area and it's worked out well (except for Abbi hogging the bed, all 10'ish lbs of her).

[Adrienne Farricelli]

I too have some additional questions: How many hours is your puppy closed in the crate during the day? And how many at night? Also, is your other dog around your puppy when crated during the day?

[alycia.ammar]

Ah, good to hear! Another problem is he also chews on the base of the crate, and his bark is very loud! We live in a duplex so the neighbors don’t appreciate that very much.

Our other dog nova also sleeps up in our room - I really wouldn’t have a problem with them both sleeping upstairs as they are both housetrained however I am just nervous it will make him not want to be in his crate even more!

[alycia.ammar]

During the day, it is normally 5-6 hours depending on the day. At night it is 8-9 hours, depending when he falls asleep. I always wait until he is tired enough to put him in there. Our other dog is around in the day - she just sleeps on the couch while we are away! The crate is kept in the living room where she is.

[alycia.ammar]

Also another thing to add - we have tried keeping our other dog downstairs at night to see if it helps but it doesn’t seem to make a difference.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

It sounds like your dog is upset about being closed in the crate at night. Not the crate per se' perhaps, but more the location. If your other dog sleeps in your room, your pup may want to join you all because he feels isolated from his family, his social group. His barking and scratching are likely his way to ask to be let out and the chewing directed at the crate's edge and blanket sounds like anxious chewing.

 

Have you ever considered bringing the crate to the bedroom too? This may help him settle if his anxiety is due to the desire to be with his family. This alone can help form a good association with the crate. He may perhaps bark a bit initially, but he should settle down nicely once he realizes you are all there with him together.

 

I would suggest recording your pup's behavior during the day in the crate when you leave or perhaps use some form of remote monitoring. Just to see what he does when left alone. If he barks, scratches and is unable to settle in the crate during the day, then the concern would be that negative associations are being formed with crate and that is a concern because a day may come where he may no longer want to enter it or he can get hurt trying to get out.

Edited October 13, 2018 by Adrienne Farricelli

[ManidaMorrell]

Quick question is there a time when a dog is too old to crate train. Eg: 1year?

[alycia.ammar]

That makes so much sense! We have considered bringing the crate upstairs but would have to bring it back downstairs every morning. Maybe we will consider getting another one to keep up in the room!

I will definitely look into recording him during the day. Thank you so much for the advice!

[alycia.ammar]

I don’t think he gets anxious during the day because there are no signs when we get home (ex bed in crate torn up, crate moved etc) but if it is the case that he is barking and chewing in the day, how would you recommend going about that? We have considered leaving them out together but it just makes me nervous.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Quick question is there a time when a dog is too old to crate train. Eg: 1year?

 

Not necessarily, as long as there is time to help the dog acclimate to it and lots of positive associations are formed. There are sometimes exceptions though with dogs who have "confinement phobia" or separation anxiety and these can sometimes be a challenge.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

That makes so much sense! We have considered bringing the crate upstairs but would have to bring it back downstairs every morning. Maybe we will consider getting another one to keep up in the room!

I will definitely look into recording him during the day. Thank you so much for the advice!

 

Yes, many puppy owners invest in two crates for this reason. The extra heavy wire crates are left in the living room, while a travel crate is used for the bedroom. One reason why travel crates may be preferable for the bedroom is because the wire ones are so noisy when the dog moves around at night. On top of that, the travel crate comes handy when the dog needs to go see the vet or go on any car rides.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

I don’t think he gets anxious during the day because there are no signs when we get home (ex bed in crate torn up, crate moved etc) but if it is the case that he is barking and chewing in the day, how would you recommend going about that? We have considered leaving them out together but it just makes me nervous.

 

If the barking and chewing during the day is short-lived, like just a few minutes and then the pup settles and takes a nap, then it often may be solved by providing him with a tough interactive toy like a stuffed Kong to keep him busy until he vents off his initial stress/frustration. But if it's sustained and long lasting,(which can also be a problem in a close-knit neighborhood) then an alternative option to using the crate may have to be used, like a puppy safe enclosure (pen) or safe blocked off area of a room or safe room. Whether this turns out being a temporary or permanent solution depends on several factors (time, whether the pup can be properly re-acclimated to the crate, etc).

 

There is always an element of risk when two dogs are left together and it's impossible to really make a predictment on how things may go. There are countless owners who leave their two dogs who get along together during the day with no incident, but then there is also the occasional incident that makes one rethink things. I cannot make recommendations due to the fact that dogs can be sometimes unpredictable.

[JMFS]

Quick question is there a time when a dog is too old to crate train. Eg: 1year?

 

Not at all! We trained our ornery dachshund when he was 13 due to his incontinence (or straight up refusal to communicate his needs - he was beyond stubborn). The first couple nights were tough, but after that he accepted the arrangement. We pulled up that carpet last month and replaced it with LVP and oh em gag, we were shocked at the legacy he left behind.

Edited October 13, 2018 by JenniferM.

[alycia.ammar]

Great, thank you Adrienne!!